Public Sector Strike Actions Planned Across Brandenburg

The union Verdi has announced a significant strike action for Friday, aiming to intensify pressure during ongoing tariff negotiations in the public sector. This planned strike will affect numerous municipal administrations and community facilities, including kindergartens and after-school care services across large parts of Brandenburg.

According to a spokesperson from Verdi, the warning strike will target several districts, specifically in Dahme-Spreewald, Elbe-Elster, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, and Spree-Neiße, as well as the city of Cottbus. Employees in all municipal administrations within these areas are expected to cease work.

Furthermore, the strike will extend to municipalities in Prignitz, Ostprignitz-Ruppin, Oberhavel, Havelland, Potsdam-Mittelmark, Teltow-Fläming, and the cities of Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel, where city and district administrations are also set to be impacted. Childcare centers and after-school facilities are included in the strike, although municipal and community administrations will remain operational.

In the capital city of Potsdam, the waste management services have indicated that disruptions are anticipated on the same day. Both garbage collection and street cleaning services will not operate at their usual capacity, and any missed service routes will not be rescheduled.

Additionally, the largest hospital in the city, Ernst von Bergmann, has also been called to participate in the strike. Nonetheless, emergency services will continue to function to ensure critical care remains available.

The planned gathering of striking workers in central Potsdam is expected to lead to significant traffic disruptions, and public transport services may not run as per their regular schedules. In several municipalities, including Oranienburg, there have already been notifications regarding the closure of some childcare facilities, with parents being informed through notices and emails to arrange alternative care for their children.

The warning strike comes just ahead of the next round of negotiations scheduled for March 14 to 16, 2025, in Potsdam. Verdi has been organizing warning strikes for several weeks, with previous actions resulting in minimal impacts on administrative functions. However, this upcoming strike represents a notable escalation in their efforts.

The ongoing tariff negotiations involve demands from unions for an 8% wage increase for public sector employees or at least a minimum of EUR350 more per month, along with enhanced allowances for particularly demanding jobs. Employers have expressed that these demands are financially unfeasible.